NBA Basketball

DOOM!

Figured we can start up a new topic since off-season moves have been going in full swing.

Joe Johnson traded to the Nets and I just read that Steve Nash is heading to the LA Lakers in a sign and trade deal. Nash with the Lakers will make them a more thought out team as a serious contender with the Thunder for the Western Conference.

Really interested in seeing what happens to Dwight Howard. Deron Williams, Joe Johnson and Dwight Howard would be nasty. Not to mention Gerald Wallace if he isn't involved in a trade.

DOOM!

I agree. Chicago needs someone Derrick Rose can rely on off and on the court. Rumors about Pau Gasol/Boozer trade was imminent but that kinda died off, they need to do something, I'd figure they could toss Boozer and pick up someone to run the back-court with Rose.

InstantCClassic

I agree. Chicago needs someone Derrick Rose can rely on off and on the court. Rumors about Pau Gasol/Boozer trade was imminent but that kinda died off, they need to do something, I'd figure they could toss Boozer and pick up someone to run the back-court with Rose.

They were interested in Courtney Lee when he became a UFA just yesterday. OJ Mayo would be a great fit seeing as him and Rose are really good friends. I know the front office doesn't have enough money and I'm sure he wouldn't accept a paycut, but imagine the chemistry between the two. He would be a good 2 guard.

Attorney General

for some reason I'm afraid that Nash won't fit into LA.I'm not even sure exactly why.

it seems like a desperation move for him.like he just wants any other shot at a championship.

The only guy I don't feel is a good fit in LA is Mike Brown. Nash has more imagination in his fingernails than Brown does in his whole body.

I think Nash should be an awesome fit. He'll run the pick and roll with the bigs and adds another very good passer to their starting lineup (gasol being the other, imo). He'll create easy shots for Kobe when Kobe's not creating easy shots of his own. And word is, he'll try to convince his good bud Grant Hill to join him for the ride. They'd do well to sign either Hill or someone like Courtney Lee who can bang easy jumpers all night as Nash forces the D to collapse on him.

I also disagree about it being a desperation move. He had options. But he chose to play for a legitimate contender (but certainly not the favorite...even in the West) and stay relatively close to his family at the same time. Makes sense to me.

InstantCClassic

now the Ray Allen situation is totally different from the Nash / LA deal.

I think Allen would do great in Miami.

I think he's gonna have limited minutes off the bench. Everyone's acting like he's gonna pop in every single three he takes. This isn't 2008, he's not in his prime anymore, people need to stop expecting much out of him.

Now, unlike Nash/LA, THIS was a desperation move. Why move to a team with less money when he could have stayed with the Celtics who offered more money and acquired Jason Terry.

El Diablo

nah, it's different than Nash.Nash wants a championship because he has none. he'll do anything really.

Ray Allen doesn't need championships; he has them.he wants a team that he can plug into, come off the bench if necessary, and help make another strong run in the post-season. he knows that Miami is perfect for that. after Miami beat Boston, Allen was doing everything short of handing out his resume while congratulating the Heat players.

DOOM!

now the Ray Allen situation is totally different from the Nash / LA deal.

I think Allen would do great in Miami.

I think he's gonna have limited minutes off the bench. Everyone's acting like he's gonna pop in every single three he takes. This isn't 2008, he's not in his prime anymore, people need to stop expecting much out of him.

Now, unlike Nash/LA, THIS was a desperation move. Why move to a team with less money when he could have stayed with the Celtics who offered more money and acquired Jason Terry.

What happened to intergrity?

Having one of the NBA's greatest shooters come off the bench for you is excellent. I can see Ray playing 15-20 minutes a game when needed, and I don't think health will be a issue as he could be purely a bench player. Why would he go back to the Celtics when they have Bradley and just picked up Jason Terry? I see Miami being his best and top choice or he can come to OKC and win some rings.

I think Steve Nash would've been a perfect fit down in New York with Amar'e and 'Melo. Steve Nash had some of his best years in Phoenix when he and Amar'e were working the pick and roll game like bread 'n butter. I'm having a hard time imagining Steve Nash fitting in with the Lakers as Kobe's history shows that he doesn't need a point guard on the court. I find this move helping out their big men greatly though, especially Bynum. Also, someone mentioned Ramon Sessions, I believe he declined his option to stay in LA and is testing the market.

Jason Kidd to New York Knicks. If Jeremy Lin stays in NY that will be a nice combo they'll have, especially if Shumpert comes back healthy and having JR Smith isn't bad.

now the Ray Allen situation is totally different from the Nash / LA deal.

I think Allen would do great in Miami.

I think he's gonna have limited minutes off the bench. Everyone's acting like he's gonna pop in every single three he takes. This isn't 2008, he's not in his prime anymore, people need to stop expecting much out of him.

Now, unlike Nash/LA, THIS was a desperation move. Why move to a team with less money when he could have stayed with the Celtics who offered more money and acquired Jason Terry.

What happened to intergrity?

Having one of the NBA's greatest shooters come off the bench for you is excellent. I can see Ray playing 15-20 minutes a game when needed, and I don't think health will be a issue as he could be purely a bench player. Why would he go back to the Celtics when they have Bradley and just picked up Jason Terry? I see Miami being his best and top choice or he can come to OKC and win some rings.

I think Steve Nash would've been a perfect fit down in New York with Amar'e and 'Melo. Steve Nash had some of his best years in Phoenix when he and Amar'e were working the pick and roll game like bread 'n butter. I'm having a hard time imagining Steve Nash fitting in with the Lakers as Kobe's history shows that he doesn't need a point guard on the court. I find this move helping out their big men greatly though, especially Bynum. Also, someone mentioned Ramon Sessions, I believe he declined his option to stay in LA and is testing the market.

Jason Kidd to New York Knicks. If Jeremy Lin stays in NY that will be a nice combo they'll have, especially if Shumpert comes back healthy and having JR Smith isn't bad.

I don't know dude, I hate the Miami Heat with a passion. He could have still stayed in Boston and pursue another championship with Terry and Bradley.

No more loyalty in the NBA these days...shame. It's really becoming a trend nowadays how players join other teams just for rings. At least Dirk, Duncan, and Kobe are still on their teams.

El Diablo

No more loyalty in the NBA these days...shame. It's really becoming a trend nowadays how players join other teams just for rings. At least Dirk, Duncan, and Kobe are still on their teams.

I think people who talk about "loyalty" in sports are dead wrong.it doesn't exist. not really.

just because some players are lucky enough (and it IS about luck) to win championships with the team that drafted them doesn't mean that every player has to stay with their first team no matter what. professional sports is still a business and the players are in business for success. sure they play for the love the game, but money and winning are still huge factors. and sure they try to support their home cities, but life changes and men grow; there's no reason to expect them to hold out in one place for their entire career if they can't win while they're there.

Dirk, Duncan, and Kobe (since you mentioned them) are examples of men who got lucky.yes they are talented, but I bet you they would have left their teams as well if they never got to the Finals.

MOST players who have won championships (in the entire history of basketball) have won AFTER changing teams at least once.loyalty sounds nice, but it's not real.

I think that - more than anything - you're just letting your emotions get in the way of common sense.see?

InstantCClassic

No more loyalty in the NBA these days...shame. It's really becoming a trend nowadays how players join other teams just for rings. At least Dirk, Duncan, and Kobe are still on their teams.

I think people who talk about "loyalty" in sports are dead wrong.it doesn't exist. not really.

just because some players are lucky enough (and it IS about luck) to win championships with the team that drafted them doesn't mean that every player has to stay with their first team no matter what. professional sports is still a business and the players are in business for success. sure they play for the love the game, but money and winning are still huge factors. and sure they try to support their home cities, but life changes and men grow; there's no reason to expect them to hold out in one place for their entire career if they can't win while they're there.

Dirk, Duncan, and Kobe (since you mentioned them) are examples of men who got lucky.yes they are talented, but I bet you they would have left their teams as well if they never got to the Finals.

MOST players who have won championships (in the entire history of basketball) have won AFTER changing teams at least once.loyalty sounds nice, but it's not real.

I think that - more than anything - you're just letting your emotions get in the way of common sense.see?

I'm not letting my emotions getting in the way of it, I'm just speaking my mind. Loyalty does exist in sports. Some players want to retire/die in their team. Look at Duncan for example. He stated that he was a Spur for life. Dirk obviously wants to retire a Maverick, but he has stated that he is too old for rebuilding a team with young talent. It exists. Also, it's not luck, it's effort that wins championship. Does such-and-such have what it takes to make it through the playoffs, and still pursue a championship. It's not luck at all.

Men who got lucky? Yeah, they had players on their team who helped them out to win a championship(O'Neal, Parker, Terry/Kidd), but each of them were franchise players. Who's the first player that comes to mind when you think of the Spurs? Or the Mavericks? Lakers?

No, I don't see. Obviously you're trying to start something and I have no intention of being a part of it.

you keep mentioning Duncan and Dirk and Kobe as your only major examples of loyalty.I think this only reinforces my point.

those 3 guys are rare.they got lucky. there are many, many more players whose career has taken them all over the country in pursuit of greatness.

MOST players who have ever won a championship didn't win it until AFTER changing teams at least once.players might talk about loyalty, but most of them will do what is necessary in order to win if they cannot win in the city that drafted them first. this means going somewhere else.

you keep mentioning Duncan and Dirk and Kobe as your only major examples of loyalty.I think this only reinforces my point.

those 3 guys are rare.they got lucky. there are many, many more players whose career has taken them all over the country in pursuit of greatness.

MOST players who have ever won a championship didn't win it until AFTER changing teams at least once.players might talk about loyalty, but most of them will do what is necessary in order to win if they cannot win in the city that drafted them first. this means going somewhere else.

Kobe,Nash,Howard,Gasol....not sounds bad.Imo,the team to beat,I see to LA now as the favourite number one.

Odds updated after the transferthe ,Lakers as the second favourite after the heat.The current five favorites are the Heat (5/2), the Lakers (3/1), the Thunder (11/2), the Bulls (9/1) and the Spurs (14/1).

DOOM!

Seriously? I love my Thunder but with the Lakers acquiring Dwight Howard it's hard not to say these guys are the favorites for the Western Conference. Lakers still have Antawn Jaminson at the 6th man, aswell.

I'm also going to be interested seeing Andrew Bynum in Philly and dominate the Eastern conference. Hopefully he will have his head on right with the Sixers and unleashed his full blown potential. Sixers are a very young, good team. It will be a interesting season for sure.

El Diablo

Howard is really not that much of an upgrade compared to Bynum. Dwight is better than Andrew, but not by much. he's also a terrible free-throw shooter.and the rest of the team is just as old. now you throw in Nash.

the Lakers will be great.but they're always great.

this deal doesn't automatically put them at the top.not with Miami hitting their stride and OKC barely scratching the surface of their capabilities.

Seriously? I love my Thunder but with the Lakers acquiring Dwight Howard it's hard not to say these guys are the favorites for the Western Conference. Lakers still have Antawn Jaminson at the 6th man, aswell.

I'm also going to be interested seeing Andrew Bynum in Philly and dominate the Eastern conference. Hopefully he will have his head on right with the Sixers and unleashed his full blown potential. Sixers are a very young, good team. It will be a interesting season for sure.

I disagree with El_Diablo's "Thunder/Heat are still the favorites" statement. They're not the favorites. If I see another 4-1 series between them I will be pissed.

Seriously? I love my Thunder but with the Lakers acquiring Dwight Howard it's hard not to say these guys are the favorites for the Western Conference. Lakers still have Antawn Jaminson at the 6th man, aswell.

I'm also going to be interested seeing Andrew Bynum in Philly and dominate the Eastern conference. Hopefully he will have his head on right with the Sixers and unleashed his full blown potential. Sixers are a very young, good team. It will be a interesting season for sure.

Lakers perimeter defense struggled against OKC in the playoffs. We'll see what happens now. I don't think LA's a lock to get to the Finals. Thunder are younger and more athletic, and how long will it take LA to mesh?

Seriously? I love my Thunder but with the Lakers acquiring Dwight Howard it's hard not to say these guys are the favorites for the Western Conference. Lakers still have Antawn Jaminson at the 6th man, aswell.

I'm also going to be interested seeing Andrew Bynum in Philly and dominate the Eastern conference. Hopefully he will have his head on right with the Sixers and unleashed his full blown potential. Sixers are a very young, good team. It will be a interesting season for sure.

Lakers perimeter defense struggled against OKC in the playoffs. We'll see what happens now. I don't think LA's a lock to get to the Finals. Thunder are younger and more athletic, and how long will it take LA to mesh?

Co-sign on Bynum. If he gets his sh*t straight, Philly will be nice.

I tell you what - I can't wait for the season to start.

CALL IT: Thunder and Lakers will meet in the Western Conference Finals next year.

I thought one factor that made Miami win this year was their experience. Thunder didn't have any Finals appearances at that time, Miami's will led them to the gold.

Don't doubt other Eastern Conference teams(Boston, Chicago, Pacers, Nets). It won't be a easy ride. Repeat before the prime starts kicking in Miami, that's all I have to say.

Seriously? I love my Thunder but with the Lakers acquiring Dwight Howard it's hard not to say these guys are the favorites for the Western Conference. Lakers still have Antawn Jaminson at the 6th man, aswell.

I'm also going to be interested seeing Andrew Bynum in Philly and dominate the Eastern conference. Hopefully he will have his head on right with the Sixers and unleashed his full blown potential. Sixers are a very young, good team. It will be a interesting season for sure.

Lakers perimeter defense struggled against OKC in the playoffs. We'll see what happens now. I don't think LA's a lock to get to the Finals. Thunder are younger and more athletic, and how long will it take LA to mesh?

Co-sign on Bynum. If he gets his sh*t straight, Philly will be nice.

I tell you what - I can't wait for the season to start.

OKC had no answer for Bynum for the first four games... no answer. I can't imagine Perkins or Ibaka trying to guard Dwight Howard for a 7 game series. In all reality LA should've won Game 2 and 4 anyways.